With the arrival of new manager, Hernan Losada, the promise of a new high-scoring and swashbuckling DC United was dangled in front of long suffering fanbase. Losada said on our show that he wants to be exciting and attacking minded, and would rather win a game 5-4 that 1-0. This was music to our ears, as years of defensively sound (if excitement bereft) DC United teams left much to be desired to casuals and neutral fans looking for a good game to watch.
However, to win games 5-4 you have to…score 5 goals. Last year, DC United’s leading scorer had…4 goals. 2 of which were penalty kicks.
We have some improving to do, don’t we, folks?
When DC United drafted Kimarni Smith with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 MLS Superdraft, many draft observers were slightly puzzled at how early he was selected, but a strong short season performance in the Fall for Clemson made his selection for an offensively challenged team more logical. People around the club said the Smith projected more as a winger than a secondary forward or a number 9, and the wing is one of the deepest positions for the team. However, Smith has scored twice for DCU in the preseason and has shown a desire to get into the box and pick up loose opportunities and covert them.
With news breaking this week about Erik Sorga being preferred to start over Ola Kamara, this appears to be an open competition. With a results in a small sample size, Smith has an opportunity to make an impact early in the season and give a scoring-challenge team some options to solve that problem.
What do you think? Will Smith stick with DC United this season? If so, how many goals do you think he’ll score? Comment below.